Yasunori Sakamoto

• Category
  Lacquerware
• Techniques
  Maki-e, Eggshell inlay, Chinkin, Mother-of-pearl inlay (Raden), Urushi-e
• Born
  1954 -
• Based in
  Ishikawa
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  Manager of the Ishikawa Branch
  Lecturer at the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center
  Executive Director of Wajima Lacquerware Techniques Preservation Society
  Member of the Japan Cultural Property Lacquer Association

About the Artist

Urushi Artist Inviting You to a Journey of Memories

Lacquer artist Yasunori Sakamoto mainly uses the togidashi (polished) makie technique, which is sprinkling gold and silver powder on the lacquered surface, applying urushi lacquer and then polishing to make the patterns stand out. He finely combines this with other techniques such as mother-of-pearl inlay and eggshell makie to deepen and expand the texture and color. He gives shape to his personal memories and stories with his refined skills, making his artwork have a warm and lyrical feel.
His outstanding skills and artistry have been highly evaluated, and in 2022, he received the Grand Award, MEXT Award at the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. He is attracting significant attention in Japan and overseas as a leading artist in Japan's lacquer art world.

Style

After getting married, I learned makie from my father-in-law Masaharu.
In addition to gold and silver polished makie, I also use mother-of-pearl inlay and eggshell makie in my recent works. The ideas for my designs come from scenes in my childhood memories. Eggshell makie is very time consuming but fun. I sometimes combine eggshell makie with chinkin.

Biography

• 1973
  Studied under lacquerware artist (specialist in chinkin (gold-inlaid lacquerware)), Seiho Kokon
• 1976
  Graduated from the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center, Chinkin Department
• 1979
  Studied under his father Masaharu, makie artist submitting to the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten)
  Shikkokai Exhibition held at Ikebukuro Seibu Department Store, consecutively participated in the Exhibition from this year onward
• 1980
  Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 1981
  Selected for the Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time, selected consecutively from this year onward
• 1984
  Selected for the Ishikawa Prefecture Contemporary Arts Exhibtion for the first time
  Selected for the Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 1986
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
• 1987
  Appointed as Member of the Kokkokai, Maki-e artisan group at PILOT Corporation
• 1989
  Lacquerware Box "Ryofu (Cool Breeze)" purchased by Wajima City
• 1990
  Invited to submit to the International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Government Garden "Cultural Tradition" pavilion
• 1995
  Appointed as assistant lecturer at the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center
• 2000
  Submitted to the "Traditional Arts and Crafts of Ishikawa Japan, Beijing Exhibition" at the National Art Museum of China
• 2003
  Four-persons Lacquerware Exhibition at Nihombashi Takashimaya
• 2009
  Appointed as Member of the Wajima Lacquerware Techniques Preservation Society
  Appointed as Union President of the Wajima Makie Industry Union
• 2010
  Wajima Makie Exhibition at Shinagawa ('11 '13)
• 2012
  Appointed as Manager of the Japan Kogei Association Ishikawa Branch
  Holds the 1st Ryoshitsukai (exhibition by lacquerware artists that studied at the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center and Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute and lead today's lacquerware industry), submits consecutively from this year onward
• 2015
  Appointed as lecturer at the Wajima Urushi Art Technical Training Center
• 2018
  Six persons Exhibition at Neues Asahi, Maebashi, Gunma ('20)
  Submitted to "URUSHI Tradition and Innovation" Exhibtion (touring exhibition in 3 places)
• 2019
  Makie Box "Pleasant Autumn" submitted to the 65th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition purchased by the Imperial Household Agency
  Solo Exhibition at Takashimaya Kashiwa Store
• 2020
  Makie Box "Symphony of Rain" submitted to the 66th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition dedicated to the Wajima Museum of Urushi Art

Awards

• 1985
  Wajima City Board of Education Manager Award, Wajima City Art Exhibition
• 1986
  Ishikawa Governor Award, Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1998
  Tokyo Governor Award, Japanese Bekko Craft Competition
• 2001
  Japan Kōgei Association Incentive Award, 48th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2002
  Incentive Award, 43rd Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition ('16 '21)
• 2005
  Traditional Culture Preservation Award, International Amber Craft Competition “A la tuile 2005”
• 2006
  Wajima Lacquer Association of Commerce and Industry Chairman Award, Wajima City Art Exhibition
• 2011
  Wajima City Mayor Award (Grand Award), Wajima CIty Art Exhibition
• 2016
  Goichi Mitani Award, Wajima City Art Exhibition
  Distinguished Service Award, Promotion of Ishikawa Prefecture'sTraditional Craft Industry
• 2022
  MEXT Award (Grand Award) for Makie Box "Nightlife", 39th Lacquerware Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2026
  Incentive Award, 66th Ishikawa Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Public Collections

• Wajima Museum of Urushi Art